Improvement in harvesters



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

n.1. EMERSON.

Harvester.

No. 39,559. Patented Aug. 18, 1863.

V vvvwvvv 2 Sheets-Shet 2.

D. L. EMERSON.

Harvester.

4 fNo. 39,559.- Patented Aug. 1a, 1863.

witnesses.

Inman/tov? DANIEL L. EMERSON, 0E EooKFoED, iLLtNois.

IM PROVEM ENT IN HARVESTERS.

Specification forming part of .Letters Patent No. 39,559, dated August 18, 18631.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL L. EMERSON, of Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented'certain new and useful Improvements in Harvesting-Machines; and l do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, `and exact description of my said invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l represents a plan of the frame of the machine extended to cut grain, and with .the raking-platform removed to show the construction of the parts beneath that platform. Fig. 2 represents a plan of the frame ot the machine contracted to cut grass. Fig. 3 represents an elevation of the grain side of the machine. Fig. 4 represents a vertical section of the grain side of the machine at the line a: of Fig. 3 and looking forward. Fig. 5 represents a vertical section of the divider at the line *t of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 represents a vertical longitudinal section of a part of the extensible linger-benin. Fig. 7 represents a view of the inner side of the adjustable divider-point, and Fig. 8 represents a transverse section of the sickle upon an enlarged scale.

My invention has reference particularly to what are termed combined harvesting-ruachines77 suitable for both cutting grain and mowing grass; but it is applicable to machines for performing only one of these operations.

The object of the first part ot' my invention is to enable the same machine to cuta wide swath of grain and a narrower swath of grass. Experience has shown that in mowing the breadth ot' the swath cut is 'best when from fourvand a half to tive feet, because the average strain upon the team becomes too great when the breadth of the cut is increased. On the other hand, grain when ingood order is cut with less power than grass. Hence the same team which can cut a swath of average grass -iive feet wide with facility can cut a swath of average grain of nsix feet in breadth with about equal facility.

The first part of my invention enables the machine to cut either a narrow swath or a wide swath, so that it can be used to the best advantage in both grass and grain. This part of my invention consists in an extensible finger-beam formed of parts, one of which can have its position changed in reference to the other by overlapping it to a less or greater extent, so that a greater or less number ol' ngers or guards can be used, according to the breadth ot' the swath to be cut.

The object of the second part of my invention is to enable the first part thereof to be applied to that class of harvesting-machines which haveaback beam parallel, orthereabout, with the sickle-bar and connected with the divider; and it consists in the combination of an extensible linger-beam with a back beam which isiitted to secure the rear of the dividerframe at greater or less distances from the line of draft, according to the set of the extensible iinger-beam.

The third part of in y invention has reference to the divider, and its object is to enable more or less stalks to lbe gathered into the sickle. This result has been accomplished previous to my invention by constructing the divider in parts, one ot' which was pivoted to the other so that it could be turned laterally; but the 4arrangement was defective.

The third part of my invention obviates the defects ot' the preceding plan; and it consists in combining the lower edge of the gathering board or wing ot' the divider with the remainder thereof by hinge-connections anda controlling-instrument in such manner that the gathering-board can be set upright or leaned outward to give it more or less inclination, and thus gather in less or more grain to the sickle.v

The fourth part of my invention has also reference to the divider; and it consists in combining the point of the divider with the remainder of the same by fasteniugs in such y manner thatit can be moved both sidewiseand up and down, so as to permit its front end to be set out or in to gather more orvless grain to the sickle, and also up or down to run nearer to or farther from the plane ot' progression of the sickle, so that it may raise upthe greatest possible quantity of depressed stalks and save them from being run over by the grain-wheel or other part ot' the machine in the rear ot' the divider-point. 4

All the parts of my invention are embodied inthe machine, parts of which are represented in the accompanying drawings. This machine has the general form and arrangement ot' the Manny harvesting-machine, its main frame being supported upon wheels A and A', the former of which is the driving-wheel, and the latter the grain-wheel at the dividerv side of the paratus, the divider, the raking-platform, the Y reel, and the gearing for imparting motion to A the one part, U, along the other part, C, the

. his finger-beam he can vary the position of the machine. This frame carries the cutting apl the sickle, reel, &c. It is fitted at its front side with two shoes, B B', having ears at their front ends with which the reach or the tongue is connected, as is usual in the Manny machine.

In order to embody the rst part of my invention, the tinger-beam is made in two parts, C and C', one ofl which, C, is secured to the main frame and to the shoes B B', while the other part, C', slides beneath the first, the shoe B' being so constructed thatit permits the part C' to slide through it. The two parts otl the fin ger-beam are perforated with holes for screwbolts, by which the two parts ofthe finger-beam are secured together, and the fingers d d, which are at the stubble end ofthe finger-beam, are secured to it by screws or screw-bolts, so that they can be readily removed when the fingerbeam is to be contracted, as it is at Fig. 2, or can be reapplied when the finger-beam is extended, as it is at Fig. 1. From this construction of the iinger-beain in parts, one ot' which overlaps the other, it is plain that by sliding effective length of the finger-beam can be increased or diminished. The farmer therefore has it in his power to regulate the length of his linger-beam to the breadth of the swath to be cut. In order to cut effectually with the iinger-beam in either its contracted or extend-l ed condition, two siokles are furnished with the machine, one sickle for the finger-beam when extended and the other for it when contracted. This rst part of my invention may be applied to machines without a back beam.

The second part of my invention enables the first part to be applied with facility to framemachines similar to the Manny machine. In order to embody it in the machine, the back beam, E, is made ofthe full length required to hold the hinder end of the grain side of the main frame, which may be termed the divider-frame," when the linger-beam is extended, as at Fig. 1, and is, in addition, arranged to hold the hinder end of the grain side of the main frame when thefinger-beam is contracted, as at Fig. 2. It is perforated with bolt-holes in proper positions to receive the bolt that secures the hinder end ot' the grain side of the main frame to the back beam in its two different positions, and also for the bolt that secures the brace F to the back beam, so that when the farmer wishes to contract or extend grain side of the main frame accordingly, and can secure it firmly to the back beam by a bolt in whichever position it may be placed.

In order to embody the third part of my invention, the wing G of the divider is connected at its lower edge with the machine by two connections, f h, which operate as hinges upon which the wing can be turned outor in to make it more or less inclined. The forward connection, f, encircles the point of the stationary metal divider or shoe H, so that this point acts as thejoint-pin for the hinge. The hinder connection has the form of a strap-hinge. In order to hold the wing at any inclination it may be desirable to place it, a curved screwbolt, 1'., is secured to the stationary part of the machine in a proper position to pass through a slot in a controlling-arm, l, secured to the wing G. This screw-bolt is provided with two nuts, one ot which is on the outside of the arm l and the other inside ot'it, so that by screwing these nuts along the screw-holt the arm l and the wing G, from which it is projected, may be adjusted and secured in any position within the range ot' the adjustment-bolt. The wing projects in advance of a fixed shoe, H, and carries the divider-point, which is used when grain is to be harvested. As the line upon which the wing turns at its lower edge is Iinclined to the line of' projection of the point of dividerin advance of the finger-beam, it follows that the inclining of the wing outward from the"raking-platform moves the divider-point outward, and thus enables it to gatherin more grain to the sickle, while the setting of the wing more upright moves the divider-point inward, and enables it to gather in less grain to the sickle.

The fourth part ot' my invention, when used in connection with the third part, enables the farmer -to vary tlierange of gather of the divider-point still further than the third part of myinvention would without it, and in addition permits the farmer to adjust the vertical position of the extremity of the divider-point so as to run as closely a-s possible to the ground. To this end the divider-point J is made an independent instrument, ana is adjustable both vertically and horizontally; In order to enableit to be adjusted horizontally, it is connected with the wing G (or its equivalent f'or holding the divider-point) by means of a swivel-bolt, a, that, While holding the divider-point, permits it to be turned. The divider-point is also connected at its butt with the wing G by means of an adjusting-screw, e, which turns in a plate, b, secured to the wing. This screw screws'into a plate secured to the divider-point,

and its head held in its place against the Wingplate b by means of a pin on the inner side of that plate. Hence by turning this screw the butt ofthe divider-point is'moved from or toward the adjacent face of the wing G, and the cxtreme end of the divider is set so as to gather in more or less grain to the sickle. In order to permit the divider-point to be adjusted verticall y as well as horizontally, several screwed holes are made in'the plate at the butt of the divider to any one of which the screw e may be shifted as required to cause the dividerpoint to run nearer to or farther f'rom the ground or nearer to or farther from the pla-ne in which the sickle progresses. The screwholes of thisseries are arranged in the arc of acircle of' which the swivel-bolt a is the center. The swivel-bolt, screw-bolt, and their appurtenances constitute the best fastenings with which I am acquainted for combining the di-l vider-point with the remainder of the divider so as to permit of movement in two directions, as before stated. In order to prevent the accumulation of stalks or other clogging matter at the joint between the divider-point and the remainder of the divider, the fore part of the divicler-poi nt is constructed to overlap the part of thedivider to which it is fastened,as shown at Figs. 1, 2, and 3. This fourth part of my invention may be used in connection with the third part or not, as deemed expedient.

The sickle of the machine represented in the drawings is made with what may be termed a duplex stockthat is to say, there is one stock, m, beneath the sections which form the scalloped blade, and another stock, s, above those sections. The latter extends from one end of the sickle to the other, is riveted securely to the stock beneath and to the sectional blades, and constitutes the bar-slide which runs in the guides over the sickle. As this bar extends on each side of each top guide a greater distance (wheny the sickle is in its mean position) than the radius of the crank that drives the sickle, each guide is always in contact with a continuous smooth surface. Moreover, as the bar-slide extends up to the connection with the pitman the sickle is strengthened at the point where it is most liable to be brokenthat is, near the connection with the pitman.

The iii-st and second parts of my invention will frequently be advantageous in machines for cutting grain alone, as the farmer can cut a wide or narrow swath, according as his grain is light or heavy. In this case two rakingplatt'orms may be provided with the machine, one for each effective length of tinger-beam; but I prefer to provide a raking-platform for the finger-beam in its contracted condition, and an apron or supplemental piece to bridge over the space left between such a platform and the gathering-board when the finger-beam is extended to its longest range. The reel should also be adapted to the two positions of the divider, which may be done by constructing it with sliding gudgeons, so that the shaft of the reel may be said to be extensible to correspond with the extensible finger-beam.

Having thus described a machine embody-- ing my invention, I deem it proper to state that I have not deemed it necessary to describe in detail those parts ot' the machine` which have not been improved by me, as the general construction of harvesting-machines is well` understood at the present day. I have described the best methods with which I am acquainted ot' embodying my invention, but do not limit my invention to the peculiarities ot' those modes.

What'I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An extensible finger-beam constructed ot parts combined together in such manner that one part overlaps another, so as to be capable of extension and contraction by overlapping the parts less or more, substantially as herein set forth. y

2. The combination of an extensible ingerbeam with a back beam adapted to secure the rear of the divider-frame in diderent positions,

substantially as herein set forth. Y

3. The combination ot' the gathering-board of the divider at its lower edge with the fixed part of the divider, by means of hinge-connections and an adjustable controlling-instrument,

in such manner that this board can be set at a greater or less inclination to gather in less or more grain,substantially as herein set forth. 4. The combination ofthe divider-point with the remainder of the divider by fastenings in such manner that it can be setin dil'erent positions both laterally and vertically, substantiall y as fherein set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my hand this 2d day of October, 1862.

y DANL. L. EMERSON. Witnesses:

E. S. RENWIGK, W.L. BENNEM. 

